Commerce Commission Endorses Christchurch Airport Pricing

A Commerce Commission report has
endorsed Christchurch International Airport’s overall
approach to setting its prices.

The just released
final report indicates the Commission is comfortable with
Christchurch Airport’s current prices and the way the
company is targeting stable long-term
prices.

Christchurch Airport Chief Executive Malcolm
Johns says CIAL supports the Information Disclosure regime
and believes the final report demonstrates it is working
well. He says the Commission’s process, the first under
this new structure, has provided important clarifications
and insights into how Christchurch Airport will consider
future aeronautical price resets and
disclosures.

“We’re pleased our overall pricing
approach has been endorsed by the Commission. It has
recognised our current pricing is appropriate and reaffirmed
we are performing well in areas such as investments,
operating efficiency, quality and innovation,” says Mr
Johns.

“We have always had a commitment to
re-consult on our pricing in 2017 and we’re glad this
cornerstone of our long-term price setting regime has been
recognised in the Commission’s final report.”

Mr
Johns says Christchurch Airport is a significant contributor
to the Canterbury and South Island
economies.

“Christchurch Airport plays an important
role in promoting and sustaining New Zealand’s brand with
overseas travellers and tourists. We will continue to
balance airlines’ interests with the need to develop
international quality facilities and provide fair returns on
investment to our Christchurch ratepayer and New Zealand
taxpayer shareholders.

“This approach was part of
our commitment to our airline customers during consultation
and contributed to how we have set our prices. When
re-consultation begins, we will take into account at that
time the Commission’s position, as well as market
conditions.

“As a publicly owned and
internationally-acclaimed facility, we are acutely aware of
our responsibilities and fully committed to deliver on
them,” says Mr Johns.

The Commerce Commission
released a draft report on Christchurch Airport’s price
setting regime in September 2013. Christchurch Airport
responded to the draft report within the specified
timeframe.

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